The whisper at the Wrooom skiing event in Madonna di Campiglio is that Philip Morris will renew its sponsorship of the Ferrari team when the current deal runs out at the end of 2011. It had been thought that the title sponsorship would pass to Santander, but it seems that Philip Morris decided against that and has managed to integrate the Spnaish bank into the portfolio without giving up the title sponsorship.

I don't think one can stop a tobacco company from providing money to a F1 team. Its only a problem with tobacco advertising. It isn't illegal (in the world of advertising and marketing) even if a pattern or a color combination is used to vaguely imply brand promotion - so long as the brand does not appear on the car.

I think the color red and the bar-code gives you a clear illusion of a marlboro pack of smoke - so its awesome branding. Similar to the Wrigley's advertisement.

Wrigley's motto is - double your pleasure , double your fun. Chris Brown's hit single (Forever - )has the exact same words. Nothing comes close to an advertiser's dream than such a combination

Ferrari red with stripes is a ciggeratte pack on wheels without having to say Marlboro.

So Phillip Morris is in a sweet position to exploit it - and anyways subtle advertising is shown to be more effective and attention grabbing than in your face kinda branding (The vodafone Ferrari where every possible inch of real-estate on the car was stamped with circles)

Good news IMO We all have to remember Ferrari and Phillip Morris, could technically still run Marlboro branding on their car in Monaco and China (Not sure about that one anymore right enough) They came to a mutual decision not to run the full livery anymore in the countries that allowed them to, They wernt told by the FIA, to ditch the branding they just did it on there on part. Sure its only two out of the 18 races, but Monaco is one of the most popular races on the calendar. Or they could start displaying the barcode on the actual cigarette boxes, now theres an idea, i do believe they done a limited edition, box with a red F1 car on it, wonder what team that could have been But rememeber kids, the bottom line is, smokers are jokers, no matter whether you see it advertised on a sexy red F1 car or not.

They clearly get a lot of exposure for Marlboro being in the name and the brand being "recognisable" from the bar code.How does this sit with F1 having turned its back on tobacco money?

Read that article too today, I expected the Marlboro - Ferrari link to end but obviously title sponsorship, the barcodes and Marlboro bringing their VIPs to the races, still brings enough exposure and value for money to continue.

I'm amazed that the barcode livery gives them any exposure whatsoever. It can't be that long until the majority of recent additions to fandom won't have a clue about its significance.

Surely all those who know about the Marlboro link have already chosen a brand or don't smoke at all?

If you are a Coke guy and you happen to see a combination of red, blue waves (in a certain pattern as it appears on a Pepsi Can) on a car won't you associate that with Pepsi ? Similarly someone who smokes will identify that combination is the argument. Given how easy it has gotten to track effectiveness of advertising campaigns , I'm assuming Phillip Morris has done it's ROI research and finds it profitable.

The thing is, the marlboro marketing is very effective among smokers. It's dubious its effect on non-smokers. The legislation was brought in world-wide to stop people taking up smoking. So I'm not sure the moral or legal argument against Phillip Morris continuing on with its steal marketing.

Good news IMO We all have to remember Ferrari and Phillip Morris, could technically still run Marlboro branding on their car in Monaco and China (Not sure about that one anymore right enough) They came to a mutual decision not to run the full livery anymore in the countries that allowed them to, They wernt told by the FIA, to ditch the branding they just did it on there on part. Sure its only two out of the 18 races, but Monaco is one of the most popular races on the calendar. Or they could start displaying the barcode on the actual cigarette boxes, now theres an idea, i do believe they done a limited edition, box with a red F1 car on it, wonder what team that could have been But rememeber kids, the bottom line is, smokers are jokers, no matter whether you see it advertised on a sexy red F1 car or not.

I thought they chose not to run Marlboro logos because Tobacco sponsorship was to be fully banned in/after 2011. As this was supposed to ease the blow.

Anyway, I think Tobacco sponsorship is still allowed in Bahrain,China,Monaco and Abu Dhabi. I don't know for sure about Singapore and Korea.

Good news IMO We all have to remember Ferrari and Phillip Morris, could technically still run Marlboro branding on their car in Monaco and China (Not sure about that one anymore right enough) They came to a mutual decision not to run the full livery anymore in the countries that allowed them to, They wernt told by the FIA, to ditch the branding they just did it on there on part. Sure its only two out of the 18 races, but Monaco is one of the most popular races on the calendar. Or they could start displaying the barcode on the actual cigarette boxes, now theres an idea, i do believe they done a limited edition, box with a red F1 car on it, wonder what team that could have been But rememeber kids, the bottom line is, smokers are jokers, no matter whether you see it advertised on a sexy red F1 car or not.

They clearly get a lot of exposure for Marlboro being in the name and the brand being "recognisable" from the bar code.How does this sit with F1 having turned its back on tobacco money?

F1 never did that. Their run for Asian tracks actually was the very opposite at the start. Nor any other sport, btw. EU and many other countries forbid adverts and exposure of tobacco brands. Ferrari, like many other companies/teams/whatever, just found a way to keep the sponsorship being worth for Marlboro.

I think the barcode thing is pretty clever. I mean how on earth can somebody see that and deduce "Marlboro" without knowing the previous logos on the car? I'd be surprised if there were sales benefits still coming from their sponsorship. Strictly it's not advertising, it's association.

AND your "positive" thinking about smoking ends when your very close relative dies because of forced passive smoking

I don't believe in passive smoking, I just make sure I stay away. Besides, girls look cooler when they

Besides, I think the barcode solution is the best possible for both Ferrari and Philip Morris at the moment, and that I really hope they stay on. PM/Marlboro has been a tremendous supporter of motor racing so long and is part of our heritage, and we should be happy about the fact that tobacco companies built the sport to the commercial levels it has today, where other international companies can take over as main sponsors.

AND your "positive" thinking about smoking ends when your very close relative dies because of forced passive smoking

While I am not a fan of smoking and actually love the fact I can go out to a bar, restaurant or dinner and not smell like a bonfire..... But I also believe in 'choice'....

Unfortunately now it seems, people cannot be held accountable for choice anymore, no one forces anyone to smoke... there is a tax to try and deter smokers, unfortunately there is no clarity in what the taxes are used for and I would like to see a lot more clarity from governments that showed clearly the revenue generated from cig and alchohol taxation goes purely to the NHS... but it doesnt.....

It more often than not, gets used to pay bent MP's false and crooked expense claims...

Ultimately... people should be allowed choice and advertising is part of that.... I am like Pot...despite watching ciggy sponsorship for MANY years...I have not become a smoker... unfortunately there are some who are more easily swayed by advertising..... and it seems by demographic, those more likely to smoke are from a lower class level. If said people are so easily pursuaded to buy cigarettes, then maybe if they were too expensive to buy, it counteracts the 'urge' to buy?...

Not ideal.... but the gradual, continuos urge by Eurocrat Prats in the European Parliament to gradually take away anyones choice or decision making capability is going to come back and bite them in the backside one day....when eventually the common man rises up and says 'enough....I am sick of you telling me what to do...' This has caused revolutions in the past....and these muppets dont see the seeds of it now..... In 1936 a nation became so sick and tired of not being listened to, that it chose to support a complete lunatic that promised a different way... unfortunately...history WILL repeat itself, if the liberal left keeps pushing and pushing its dogma onto people that do not have the same views...

They could start by heavily controlling the output of the European Court of Human Rights, which is frankly an abomination to any institution and is constantly used to support the complaints of a minority (complainant) versus the democratically elected majority.... where are the majorities 'RIGHTS' as I very rarely see them being fought for by said court....

Therefore I agree, that unless a substance is illegal...there can and should be not restriction on the marketing activities of said companies...the warnings are very clear on the packet.... if someone is stupid enough to ignore that.... I unfortunately have very little sympathy for them... and even less to them getting medical treatment for a condition caused by their inability to say 'no'...

good, let the tifosi poison themselves. smoking is disgusting and unhealthy and the fools who smoke til they get sick are a huge drag on the medical system. must make ferrari feel so good. we are associated with sickness and death... lol

good, let the tifosi poison themselves. smoking is disgusting and unhealthy and the fools who smoke til they get sick are a huge drag on the medical system. must make ferrari feel so good. we are associated with sickness and death... lol

Maybe they can re-brand their association with Phillip Morris - "Together - in sickness and death" or "Till smoking does us apart"

Cigarette manufacturers don't see a future in European and American markets anymore.

They all focus their spend on emerging economies, especially China.

Yes. They need to find new customers. In Europe and USA more smokers are dying than being born and the smoke ban is actually quite effective. I like it. I still smoke, but less. My kids can come to restaurants and cafés without being forced to smoke. There is a lot of people claiming that advertising does not make people start smoking, but of course they are wrong. Advertising, product placement (movies, album covers) and image making (Marlboro man) works very well and the proof of that is the amount of money that the tobacco companies have been using for marketing the last 100 years.

Anyone seen any ads in for instance China related to F1? Do they have the Marlboro package next to the Ferrari, next to the picture of Schumi/Kimi/Massa/Alonso?If they do, the barcode is still valid as product recognition over there although it might not be so obvious for our teenagers in Europe.

The thing is, the marlboro marketing is very effective among smokers. It's dubious its effect on non-smokers. The legislation was brought in world-wide to stop people taking up smoking. So I'm not sure the moral or legal argument against Phillip Morris continuing on with its steal marketing.

Absolutely right, reinforces the brand among those who are familiar with it and already support it. How can a series of barcodes induce someone to smoking is beyond me. I don't see any negative impact on non smokers from this deal

Absolutely right, reinforces the brand among those who are familiar with it and already support it. How can a series of barcodes induce someone to smoking is beyond me. I don't see any negative impact on non smokers from this deal

What should be easy to understand is this: Philip Morris and the rest in the tobacco industry is advertising, sponsoring events, sponsoring media production, F1 and other things for one reason only: To sell more cigarettes and tobacco.They are not charity organizations. Their tactics works and it works well. EU, US and some other countries have created rules and laws to make it more difficult for the tobacco industry to recruit new customers. They created those laws and rules because the tobacco industry was so successful in their recruiting.

Arguments like "I don't smoke, therefore the advertising does not work" is pretty naive.

My understanding is that Philip Morris bought all the space several years ago then onsell it.

I'm not expert though, there are Ferrari nuts around here who no doubt know the deal better.

Yep i also understand that Philip Morris buys all the advertising space from Ferrari for a certain amount of money per year (which i assume is quite big) and they can "sell" it to other sponsors. So Ferrari get's a guaranteed income very year and it's up to philip morris to get the sponsors.

I'm not surprised that Philip Morris wish to keep the association with F1 and Ferrari, but it is surprising that Ferrari seem unable to attract a replacement.

how many companies are willing to spend the kind of cash PMI do? It's a very lucrative contract and I doubt Ferrari would be able to get as much money from a new title sponsor in this economic environment

And on what basis will you prove that its advertising Marlboro Cigarettes ?

If you are a Coke guy and you happen to see a combination of red, blue waves (in a certain pattern as it appears on a Pepsi Can) on a car won't you associate that with Pepsi ? Similarly someone who smokes will identify that combination is the argument. Given how easy it has gotten to track effectiveness of advertising campaigns , I'm assuming Phillip Morris has done it's ROI research and finds it profitable.

I agree with you chaps who say F1 should not have turned its back on Tobacco advertising.

If the things are legal to sell, they should be legal to advertise. Simple as that.

This whole "covered cigarette cabinet" hypocrisy up here in Canada is all so farcical.

I think it's good on Ferrari to continue their relationship with PM, if nothing else, then for the sake of Nostalgia.

Indeed. The most hipocritical law in the UK is that powdered baby milk vendors aren't allowed to advertise their goods up till 6 months +. Until recently, the rule was no advertising at all!!

The breast feeding mafia jumped on the change to allow follow on milk advertising, but the question remains, why???

I have 3 boys, all of which were fed with formula milk, simply because my wife is unable to breastfeed. She was told by doctors that due to the medication that she takes, she is not allowed to breastfeed.

Why should she be stigmatised by the nutcase lobbyists? The same goes for smoking. It is legal to smoke, and I do smoke. Why is it ok for Johnny Walker to advertise in F1, (a really bad match IMHO), when Marlboro, or even SMA Gold aren't allowed to advertise? Obviously, alcohol is much better for you than formula milk!!!

Indeed. The most hipocritical law in the UK is that powdered baby milk vendors aren't allowed to advertise their goods up till 6 months +. Until recently, the rule was no advertising at all!!

The breast feeding mafia jumped on the change to allow follow on milk advertising, but the question remains, why???

I have 3 boys, all of which were fed with formula milk, simply because my wife is unable to breastfeed. She was told by doctors that due to the medication that she takes, she is not allowed to breastfeed.

Why should she be stigmatised by the nutcase lobbyists? The same goes for smoking. It is legal to smoke, and I do smoke. Why is it ok for Johnny Walker to advertise in F1, (a really bad match IMHO), when Marlboro, or even SMA Gold aren't allowed to advertise? Obviously, alcohol is much better for you than formula milk!!!